For the archipelago, see the Northern Isles.

Orkney and Shetland is a constituency of the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. It elects one Member of Parliament (MP) by the first past the post system of election. In the Scottish Parliament, Orkney and Shetland are separate constituencies.

The constituency was historically known as Orkney and Zetland - an alternative name for Shetland.

Boundaries

The constituency is made up of the two island groups Orkney, and Shetland. A constituency of this name has existed continuously since 1708, which may be a record. However before 1918 the town of Kirkwall (the capital of Orkney) formed part of the Northern Burghs constituency.

Uniquely, the constituencies boundaries are protected by legislation, as rule 3a of the Boundary Commission rules states: "A constituency which includes the Orkney Islands or the Shetland Islands shall not include the whole or any part of a local government area other than the Orkney Islands and the Shetland Islands." http://www.boundarycommission.org.uk/rules.asp This rule was added in the late 1990s as a by-product of the legislation establishing the Scottish parliament.

Member of Parliament

The constituency has elected only Liberal and Liberal Democrat MPs since 1950, the longest run of any UK constituency. In each general election from 1955 until 1979, and again in 1987, it was the safest Liberal seat in the UK.

Election results

Elections in the 2000s

Elections in the 1990s

Elections in the 1980s

Elections in the 1970s

Elections in the 1960s

Elections in the 1950s

Elections in the 1940s

Elections in the 1930s

General election of 1931

In the 1931 UK general election, Robert William Hamilton was elected unopposed.

Elections in the 1920s

General election of 1924

In the 1924 UK general election, Robert William Hamilton was elected unopposed.

Orkney and Shetland By-Election 17th May 1921

In the 1921 Orkney and Shetland by-election, Malcolm Smith was elected unopposed.

Elections in the 1910s

General election of 1918

In the 1918 UK general election, Cathcart Wason was elected unopposed.

General election of December 1910

In the December 1910 UK general election, Cathcart Wason was elected unopposed.

Elections in the 1900s

Elections in the 1890s

Elections in the 1880s

Elections in the 1870s

Elections in the 1860s

Elections in the 1850s

Elections in the 1840s

Elections in the 1830s

Sources

• BBC Vote 2001
• BBC Election 2005
• Guardian Unlimited Politics
• Leigh Rayment's Peerage Page
• UK General Elections since 1832
• http://www.psr.keele.ac.uk/ (Election results from 1950 to the present)
• F. W. S. Craig, British Parliamentary Election Results 1918 - 1949
• F. W. S. Craig, British Parliamentary Election Results 1885 - 1918
• F. W. S. Craig, British Parliamentary Election Results 1832 - 1885

See also

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